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Pack 356 Raised the Flag over Ft. Sumter

Every year Fellowship Christian School Pack 356 from Roswell, Ga. plans one “BIG” outing. This year’s trip was to the USS Yorktown and Fort Sumter, located in Charleston SC. All plans were finalized and the Pack was excited for the scouts to experience the USS Yorktown in April 2016. With 62 attendees the weekend would be full of exciting adventures and new discoveries for scouts and parents alike. One of the main activities was an early morning field trip to Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, S.C. The pack was able to meet with Ranger Sarah on the boat ride to the Fort and asked if they could assist in the flag raising ceremony at the Fort. Ranger Sarah explained she needed approximately 40 scouts to raise the flag…the pack had 33 scouts and 29 parents, so they were chosen and honored to perform this duty.

FCS Pack 356 waited as Ranger Sarah explained to the entire group the history of Fort Sumter and the importance of the American Flag. She then escorted the group to a large granite monument and massive flag pole, standing 75 feet in the air and called “Pack 356, come forward, and raise the Flag of the United States”. The scouts and leaders stepped up, formed 2 lines and were presented with the folded Fort Sumter flag. The scouts began to unfurl the large 15’ x 25’ flag as Ranger Sarah spoke in a commanding voice to the entire group about the US flag, its importance, meaning, what it stands for and how we honor it.

Watching the scouts unfurl the massive US Flag on this windy morning at Fort was very moving for everyone. Once the flag was completely unfurled, it was raised to its full height and lead by Ranger Sarah, the scouts, parents and entire group recited the pledge of Allegiance.

Pack 356 prepares to raise the flag

Truly a once in a lifetime experience and an honor to participate is such a meaningful ceremony, respecting our flag, our country and its history. FCS Pack 356, scouts and parents will never forget how together they raised the American Flag over historic Fort Sumter.

Pack 356 raises the flag over Fort Sumter.

This story was submitted by Keith Schneider, a Parent and Leader with Pack 356, chartered to Fellowship Christian School in Roswell, GA.